Pysanky workshops

 

Pysanky are a lot like Asheville- unique, fun and colorful!

 

In this workshop we will be making beautiful Ukrainian Easter eggs – pysanky. You will learn the method of batik – also called wax-resist – dying. You will also be familiarized with the wide range of Ukrainian folk art traditional patterns, designs and symbols and their history. The designs are made with beeswax which is melted in the flame of a candle and applied to the egg using a tool called a kistka. The eggs are dipped into successively darker dyes. At the end of the process the beeswax is melted off to reveal the beautiful and colorful design. You may use the traditional patterns, or also freestyle and make up your own design. Pysanky are fun, relaxing, and meditative to create. And, the symbols are all good wishes, so it is always the perfect time to create eggs with symbols wishing for good health, long life, strength and protection and other good things.

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In-person pysanky workshops:

Call, text or email me to reserve a spot, or schedule your own afternoon or evening date for you and your friends! Lessons available at my studio or your location for individuals and groups- many weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons work well. Classes are 3 hours and use of all supplies is included. Most people create 1 to 2 pysanky which you take home with you. $75 per person (cash/check) or $78 (credit card) includes use of all supplies. Please contact me for more information or to sign up!

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IN PERSON WORKSHOPS:
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS- AT STUDIO A, ASHEVILLE:

Winter 2024 Pysanky ornament workshops
at Studio A🥚

• Dates to be announced when it is safe to reopen #Helene

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Contact me to schedule a workshop on a date that is good for you!

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS- OTHER LOCATIONS:

•April 20-25, 2025, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

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Easter dates 2025

Gregorian calendar / Roman Catholic: Sunday, April 20, 2025

Julian calendar / Eastern Orthodox: Sunday, April 20, 2025

 

In the River Arts District, Asheville, NC:

Classes are taught at Studio A, which is located at Pink Dog Creative, 344 Depot Street, Suite 100, next to Fresh West Pizza. Ample free parking is available in the lot across the street and on the street.

 

Or at your location:

I am also available year-round to go to your home, school, church or other space to teach groups of 2 to 30 people, ages 8 and up. Please inquire for more details! 

 

SIGNING UP:
For workshops at Studio A, please e-mail me at andrea@ashevillestudioa.com or call/text 828-423-6459 to reserve your space. 

 

Preparing for class:

We will be working with dyes so please wear clothes you don't mind possibly getting a little dye on, or bring an apron. If you have long hair, please bring something to tie your hair back to protect it from the candle flame.

I will provide all materials including emptied eggshells. You will take home whatever pysanky you make. If you like, you may varnish your eggs at home, or I will gladly varnish your eggs for you and you can pick them up about a week after the class, or I can ship them for $15.

Feel free to bring a drink and snack. We won't have a formal break but feel free to take a break at any time. Please wash your hands at the beginning of class and after handling any food or touching your skin, as oils from food and skin can affect the dye's ability to adhere to the egg. Please eat any snacks away from the work area.

Classes often run an extra half-hour if you need extra time to finish up.

Classes are a lot of fun! If you do want to make more pysanky after class is over, the full range of pysanky supplies are available for purchase at Studio A.

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About the Teacher: 

Andrea Kulish is an artist, craftsperson, and graphic design professional. She’s a first-generation Ukrainian-American who learned to make pysanky from her mother, an art teacher, when she was five years old. As a young girl, she sat in on her mother's classes every week and made pysanky.

Andrea taught for several years in the Boston, MA area at various locations- businesses, churches, her home studio, assisted living facilities and art studios.

Andrea has been teaching pysanky in Asheville since she moved here in 2013. In addition to teaching at her studio, she has also taught at businesses, private homes, the Biltmore Estate, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNCA Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum, Greenville Center for Creative Arts, Transylvania County Center for the Arts, Roots + Wings Preschool, as well as done demonstrations and events around town including at The Grovewood Gallery, the Asheville Greek Festival, the Asheville Easter Festival, and with LEAF’s Easel Rider Mobile Art Truck. Andrea also has three pysanky in the collection of the Pysanky Museum in Kolomyia, Ukraine.

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Quotes from Andrea's students:

“Andrea is a gem and a national treasure - so fortunate to have someone who is so happily passionate and connected to her work and willing and happy to share it.”

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“I'm so glad I took the class and look forward to making more eggs at home. I think Andrea is a wonderful teacher & artist.”

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“The combination of gentle guidance with the freedom to explore our own designs. From the aspect of doing something I had never done, I felt that I was in a completely safe and supportive environment, and that I would succeed by just enjoying myself.”

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“Instructor was great, very positive and helpful.”

 

“Wonderful class, would definitely recommend to others!”